📖

Colonial Children: School and Work

Colonial America Begins

Day 30of 180
Week 6of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how colonial children's daily life differed from modern children

2

Recognize the importance of responsibility and hard work

3

Appreciate how God calls us to be diligent in all tasks

📖 Scripture Connection

Colossians 3:23

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,”

— Colossians 3:23 (WEB)

Teaches children that all work, even chores, can be done to honor God

📦 Materials Needed

  • Paper dolls
  • Colonial clothing images
  • Coloring sheets
  • Crayons
  • Scissors
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather children and show pictures of colonial children. Ask what they notice about the clothing and activities.

💭 Review Question: What do you think children did for fun in colonial times?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain how colonial children had many responsibilities from a very young age, including helping on farms, in shops, and with household chores.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Children started working very young
  • Most children did not go to school all day
  • Chores were important for family survival
  • Learning was often practical skills
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What chores do you do at home?
  • How are your chores different from colonial children's work?
3Activity: Colonial Dress-Up and Chore Roleplay (7 min)
hands-on

Create paper dolls representing colonial children and act out daily tasks

📝 Instructions:
  1. Cut out paper dolls
  2. Color colonial clothing
  3. Act out different chores
  4. Discuss how each task helps the family
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut paper dolls for younger children

Challenge: Research and include specific colonial tools and clothing details

4Closing (3 min)

Recap how colonial children worked hard and helped their families

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was one thing colonial children did that surprised you?
  • How can you help your family today?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be thankful for our blessings and to work hard in all we do, just like the children in colonial times.

Coming up: Next week, we'll learn more about how the colonies grew and became stronger

💎 Memory Verse

Colossians 3:23

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,”

— Colossians 3:23 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Charade game acting out different types of work

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Colonial children had significant responsibilities from a young age

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Emphasize positive aspects of work
  • Avoid making children feel guilty about modern conveniences
  • Encourage age-appropriate helpfulness
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might feel overwhelmed hearing about extensive child labor

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Increased willingness to help with household tasks

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a colonial chore chart
  • Watch age-appropriate documentary about colonial life
  • Visit a local historical site or living history museum

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 31 →Back to History & Social Studies